ST PAUL - Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin released the following statement condemning newly uncovered remarks in which Minnesota House GOP Leader Lisa Demuth told a conservative podcast host that she would ignore an unfavorable court ruling and deny DFL State Rep. Brad Tabke his seat in the legislature, even if the courts rejected the GOP lawsuit to overturn the election in District 54A.

“This brazen admission that Minnesota Republicans would ignore an unfavorable court ruling to unseat a duly elected legislator is a perfect example of why DFL leaders are fighting back against their outrageous power grab,” said Minnesota DFL Chair Ken Martin. “Overturning an election after losing at the ballot box and in the courts would be an illegitimate and breathtaking abuse of power that would permanently corrode the norms of Minnesota politics. It is time for Leader Demuth and House Republicans to return to the negotiating table and accept an equitable power sharing agreement instead of trying to overturn the will of the voters.”

Video of Demuth’s remarks, beginning at approximately 17:39, is available here. A transcription of her remarks is available below:

DEMUTH: “With that being said, what we’re looking at is we would need a new election. I am hopeful that the courts will decide that way just like they decided in the Curtis Johnson case over in Roseville. Different circumstances, but just as important. That is my hope. If they don’t, we are ready to go until there is a new election - and it is truly decided, a fair election and integrity there - we should not be seating or we should be, yeah, we should not be seating that representative.”